Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks retired from the Knoxville Fire Department in June after nearly 28 years of hard work and an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others.
Wilbanks' lengthy career might never have happened, he said, without the TV show "Emergency!"
"That was kind of like the thing that inspired a lot of kids my age about emergency services, fire departments, being a paramedic − all that kind of stuff," Wilbanks told Knox News. "That's kind of what drove me in that direction."
Wilbanks entered the U.S Coast Guard in 1991, two years after graduating from Powell High School. When he returned to Knoxville after his time in the service, Wilbanks started his career with the fire department at Fire Station #20 in West Hills.
Since
then, he's filled many roles for the fire department, serving on the hazmat truck and working as a paramedic, quality improvement officer, department safety officer and the department's spokesperson.
Lifting up Knoxville for over two decades
There's no question about what the biggest highlight for Wilbanks has been: giving others a hand.
"You get to help people every day," he said. "I take care of the citizens and the visitors of Knoxville."
One of the most memorable ways he's done that is by ushering in new life. Wilbanks witnessed and helped with the birth of eight babies during his tenure. A young boy born under his watch ended up interning for the fire department, and Wilbanks' son followed in his father's footsteps to become a firefighter himself.
But Wilbanks' career hasn't been without its challenges. As Wilbanks gave back to the department, he had to give up a lot, too, missing birthdays and holidays he'd otherwise spend with family. The ever-demanding job came with its physical and mental strains as well.
"The fire department are the people that you call when you don't know who else to call," Wilbanks said.
Firefighting is a "young person's job," he said, which is part of the reason Wilbanks' own chapter with the department came to a close. He's since began a new role with the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he continues showing up for his community by orchestrating emergency medical services for special events.
Wilbanks aspires to do more traveling and further embrace snowboarding as his hobby of choice.
"If anyone ever were considering becoming a firefighter, go with your dream," he said. "Because it is a rewarding career."
Hayden Dunbar Evans is the storyteller reporter. Email: hayden.dunbar@knoxnews.com. Instagram: @knoxstoryteller.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: KFD assistant chief inspires others after a long career: 'Go with your dream'
